Ballyea is a very small place.
So small, that when former player Tony Griffin was at the peak of his powers, he was allegedly told by parish rivals Clarecastle that he would have to defect if he ever wanted to win anything.
Griffin may no longer be hurling with Ballyea, but the little club will be facing off against Cuala or Slaughtneil in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day after surviving a late fightback from Galway champions St Thomas’ in the AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-final.
With Niall Deasy bagging 1-11 and 2013 champions St Thomas’ misfiring in Semple Stadium, the first time Clare and Munster champions were cruising to victory.
Twelve points clear with 10 minutes to play, not for the first time this club hurling championship, Ballyea got dragged into a dramatic finale.
Anthony Kelly batted the ball to the net to bring St Thomas’ within one point with a minute to play. Cometh the hour, cometh the 2013 Hurler of the Year… Tony Kelly nailing the insurance point from the right to seal a 1-19 to 2-14 victory.
Deasy won Laochra na cluiche on TG4 but, yet again, it was Kelly who had the world abuzz.
70% of the earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by Tony Kelly! 🌏 best in the country #forgetkante #TheToughest #awesome @GAA_BEO
— Eddie McCloskey (@eddiemcc14) February 4, 2017
Tony Kelly trending!! Super hurler and big performance but Niall Deasy… 1-11 in All Ireland semi.. what a hero #HonTheNells @AIB_GAA
— Andrew Shore (@andrewshore90) February 4, 2017
Amazing finale. @ballyea_club celebrate but they were a whisker from being caught at the post by @StThomassHC. Tony Kelly a class apart. pic.twitter.com/W7Eh9N92ee
— Alan Dooley (@alanmdooley) February 4, 2017
Tony fucking Kelly wat a fucking world class hurler
— Ian Power💣 (@bombspower) February 4, 2017
Tony Kelly and #TheToughest trending. Cannot wait for Paddy's Day! @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/Y3dMAugjMw
— Róisín Glynn (@RoisinGlynn) February 4, 2017
Tony Kelly's the man! Worth the drive down 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #BaileAodhAbú
— Eimear Brady (@EimearK_) February 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/dazzlerg6/status/827945203000553472
Bit of a sports crush on Tony Kelly. Some effort by Thomas' too
— Will O'Callaghan (@willocallaghan) February 4, 2017
I don't think anybody expected Tony Kelly to miss that last chance. That boy pisses ice cubes.
— Michael Brophy (@mickbrophy) February 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/itsmep456/status/827944845931118593
That was nearly the best comeback I've ever seen. But Tony Kelly is a different gravy
— Odhran Lawlor (@OdhranLawl) February 4, 2017
We’ll leave the final word to this young Clare fan.
@gjogrady cmon Tony Kelly!!! 2 mins to go #ballyea pic.twitter.com/HJOxhyT6mP
— Niamh Uí (@laniamh) February 4, 2017
